By Levy Sara Masiteng
President Cyrl Ramaphosa said South Africa needs to move from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources to ensure that this transition is fair and equitable for all in a speech delivered at the inaugural Just Energy Transition (JET) Municipal Conference held in Gallagher Convention Center in Johannesburg.
Ramaphosa warned that continuing with fossil fuels to industrialise creates a great risk for the country’s economy and environment.
“It poses threats to our economy, society and environment if we do not drive the energy transition in ways that are appropriate to national and local circumstances,“ he said.
He urged municipalities to act accordingly in order to provide access to clean electricity, sustainable financing for electricity infrastructure and strengthening municipal capacity.
“We must therefore ensure the energy transition does not contribute to energy poverty. It must not deepen inequality,” said Ramaphosa.
The President concluded by reassuring South Africans that with the financial support that the government has received, the JET will be effective in achieving all its objectives. “Electricity must be affordable, available and sustainable,“ he said.
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